: A major hit from 2025 that secured its place in the top three highest-grossing films of the year with ₹238 crore.
Masterful acting and a slow-burn mystery that pays off heavily.
Have we missed a recent release? Which new Malayalam movie do you think deserves the number one spot? Tell us in the comments below. list of best malayalam movies new
Survival Thriller Why it made the list: A bona fide box office phenomenon that became a cultural event. Based on a true story of a group of friends trapped in the Guna Caves (one of India's most dangerous locations), this film redefined "crowd-pleaser." The famous "Kanmani Anbodu" sequence went viral globally. It is a masterclass in building suspense and celebrating friendship.
: A groundbreaking survival drama that dominated the box office and won nine awards at the Kerala State Film Awards , including Best Film and Best Director. : A major hit from 2025 that secured
Before 2024's historic run, 2023 had already established Malayalam cinema as a creative force to be reckoned with. The year began with audiences staring in awe at Mammootty slipping into another man's identity in Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam and ended with the same superstar finding the courage to come out of the closet in Kaathal – The Core —both characters played by a 72-year-old icon who continues to push boundaries.
Folk Horror / Black & White Why it made the list: This is arguably the most experimental film on this list. Directed by Rahul Sadasivan, Bramayugam is a black-and-white folk horror film starring Mammootty as a menacing, centuries-old sorcerer (Yakshi). The sound design is terrifying, and the claustrophobic setting (a single ill-fated mansion) creates unbearable tension. For horror fans seeking a list of best malayalam movies new , this is a cult classic in the making. Which new Malayalam movie do you think deserves
While a multinational co-production, this Cannes award-winning drama features Malayalam dialogue and deals with the lives of two nurses in Mumbai, receiving immense critical acclaim worldwide.
One of the defining characteristics of recent Malayalam cinema is its commitment to "rootedness." Filmmakers like Dileesh Pothan, Lijo Jose Pellissery, and Mahesh Narayanan have pioneered a style where the setting is as much a character as the protagonists. In films like Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016) or Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017), the narrative is intricately tied to the social fabric and geography of specific Kerala villages. This focus on the mundane—a lost gold chain, a small-town photography studio, or a local dispute—is elevated through nuanced performances and atmospheric cinematography, proving that the most specific stories are often the most universal.
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The has solidified its reputation as India's most innovative, genre-bending, and commercially explosive film industry. Moving past traditional formulas, contemporary Malayalam directors deliver highly original survival dramas, grounded psychological thrillers, and immersive black-and-white period pieces.